BEARS RALLY LATE TO POST 3-2 SHOOTOUT WIN

February 3, 2010

BEARS BATTLE FOR SHOOTOUT VICTORY Joudrey Fuels Offense in Come-From-Behind Win By Jess Mikula Andrew Joudrey potted a pair of goals to bring the BEARS back from two separate deficits Wednesday night, as the Chocolate and White rallied to defeat the Norfolk Admirals 3-2 in shootout fashion. Norfolk struck first, as Mark Parrish unleashed a slap shot from the top of the right circle, with Mitch Fadden picking up the redirect in the slot at 12:21. HERSHEY found the equalizer late in the period. Joudrey kept the puck low on netminder Dustin Tokarski to bury the rebound of Oskar Osala’s wrister, notching his seventh goal of the season at 18:20. Though out-shot by a 9-7 margin through the first 20 minutes, the BEARS remained in a 1-1 deadlock with the Admirals. A commanding Norfolk defense stymied the Chocolate and White power play early in the second period, HERSHEY unable to muster a single shot on goal during its man advantage. The Admirals reclaimed the lead on defenseman Matt Lashoff’s one timer from the point at 7:42, assisted by Adam Hall and Justin Keller. Francois Bouchard nearly evened the score midway through the period, eluding Tokarski with the rebound of Mathieu Perreault’s wraparound attempt, but the play was whistled dead with the puck trapped on the goal line. Rookie John Carlson kept the Admirals’ lead to one goal, issuing a clean poke check to Ryan Craig, who broke toward BEARS backstop Jason Bacashihua late in the period. HERSHEY trailed the surging Norfolk Admirals 2-1 after two. Kyle Wilson sustained a Paul Szczechura high stick early in the third period, with the Chocolate and White emerging the benefactor of a four-minute man advantage. The best scoring chance of the double minor came during a Keith Aucoin backdoor try, but Tokarski skated post-to-post to close the gap. The BEARS squandered six minutes of power play time in the third period before a bout of late-game heroics by Joudrey. Patrick McNeill set up a give-and-go to Joudrey, who went high glove side for his second of the night at 17:52. Steve Pinizzotto tallied the secondary assist on the game-tying goal. The two teams breezed through overtime with barely a single stoppage of play. With little more than 30 seconds remaining in the sudden-death period, Bacashihua robbed Norfolk’s Parrish with a point-blank glove save before also denying Matt Fornataro at the 4:58 mark. The Admirals replaced goaltender Tokarski with an extra skater for the ensuing faceoff, and Bacashihua again saved the game for the BEARS, forcing the shootout. Aucoin’s five-hole tally in the second round of the skills competition, coupled with Chris Bourque’s backhand in the final round, proved to be enough to beat Tokarski and the Admirals. Bacashihua earned his 10th win in net this season, stopping 23 of 25 shots, including seven in overtime. The BEARS’ power play was blanked on four chances, while the penalty kill denied Norfolk on two man advantages. Bears Radio Network Three Stars of the Game: 1. Andrew Joudrey (two goals) 2. Jason Bacashihua (23 saves on 25 shots) 3. Chris Bourque (shootout game winner) Notes: Aucoin saw his 16-game assist streak snapped in Wednesday night’s contest, finishing just one game shy of the AHL record, while Alexandre Giroux his 16-game point streak come to an end. Capitals Head Coach Bruce Boudreau will coach his 200th game with Washington Thursday night, as the Caps look to continue their franchise-best 11-game winning streak against the New York Rangers. The BEARS will take on the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at Giant Center Saturday night, with opening faceoff slated for 7:00 p.m. The game is already sold out, but John Walton’s call of the action is available on WQIC 100.1 FM or sportsjuice.com.